EcoWatch
Minutes ago, President Obama concluded his second inaugural address. In his address he acknowledged climate change and the need for the U.S. to lead in the transition to a sustainable energy future.
President Obama said:
We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries—we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure—our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.
“This is a call to action against the climate chaos that is sweeping our nation and threatening our future. Now it’s time to act. Power plants are our single largest source of carbon pollution. We must cut that pollution. We must do it now, for the sake of our country, our children and the future we share,” said Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
“Last year was the hottest on record for the continental United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported earlier this month. The NRDC has proposed a common-sense plan to reduce power plant carbon pollution by 26 percent by 2020. The proposal would keep roughly half a billion tons of carbon out of the atmosphere every year, cutting the U.S. carbon footprint by about 10 percent.” said Beinecke.
“From Hurricane Sandy, to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl, to raging forest fires, far too many Americans and the places we love have been devastated by recent extreme weather events fueled by global warming,” said Margie Alt, executive director of Environment America.
“Over the next four years, we are counting on President Obama to set tough limits on carbon pollution from power plants, continue investing in the development of clean, renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power, and to implement dramatic energy efficiency improvements that will cut dangerous pollution and protect our environment and our families,” continued Alt.
Visit EcoWatch’s CLIMATE CHANGE and RENEWABLES page for more related news on this topic.
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We can only hope that both Pres. Obama and N Y Gov. Cuomo realize that shale natural gas with huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, vented and leaking into the atmosphere at every phase of harvesting and distribution results in increasing the problems associated with global warming. Shale gas will increase global warming, not lessen it.
Exactly, Hugh:
Not to mention the threat to soil and water systems. The challenge is that our government’s corporate sponsors have too much power in how this country is governed. We have GOT TO get that corporate thinking out of politics. Enough is enough.
I hope it’s not just a good speech. I couldn’t help but think of mountaintop removal for coal when he mentioned the white capped mountains. I couldn’t help but think about the millions of acres of land and coastal waters he opened up to new oil drilling and fracking. I couldn’t help but think about the rig that got stranded in the pristine waters off an Alaska island and the thought of what could have happened in that situation or what WILL happen if we allow drilling in the Arctic. I couldn’t help but think about the nearly 109 MILES of FOREST that will be clearcut for the Keystone XL pipeline and the wetlands, streams, rivers and aquifers it will be poised to pollute.
“We the people” need to make sure this is not just a good speech. Please do all you can. Sign petitions, write your congressional leaders, Senators, and the President. Please stay involved with the issues and do your part as much as you can!
Thank you Ecowatch for your part! You help us all to keep informed.